"Quick Count" with Lamar Martin

Defensive lineman Lamar Martin made his season debut last week against Ohio Valley - he's been nursing a shoulder injury - and was credited with 1.5 sacks. After Wednesday's practice, we sat down to chat about music, playing himself in video games and Lamary's, the cheesecake business he has with his mother Mary Anne.

When you're not playing football, what takes up your time?
I just started over at South Side as strength coach for the rest of the year. I do that during the day time, and after that, I do a workout and cheesecakes.
How's business going?
I kind of took off a little bit because I've got a lot of other things going on. But things are good. Things are as good as I make them. I can have as much business or as little business as I want. It's kind of a luxury that I have.
Any pre-game rituals?
No. I get out there early and warm up and stretch. No real ritual.
What CD is in your car right now?
I have so much different music. My mp3 player is loaded stuff you wouldn't possibly believe. I just bought the new James Blunt CD. I got Jay-Z. Love Jay-Z. Some of my friends down in Atlanta, my roommates from college, actually are big-time rappers down there, so I listen to a lot of their music. Two of my roommates are singers and rappers and one of them is actually getting a lot of play time overseas. They'll probably be coming out here in America soon. ... But I also listen to the Beatles. I listen to all kinds of hip hop and R&B. If it's hot, I listen to it.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
It would of been that I make cheesecakes. But they'd probably be surprised to know that off the field I'm probably the nicest guy they could ever meet, but on the field, I feel that I'm probably the meanest person out there every time I'm out there.
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
I loved action figures and books. I was actually a nerd when I was a kid. I used to read myself to sleep every night. But my favorite thing was action figures. I had all the He-Man action figures. I loved those.
What's your favorite TV show?
I don't get to watch very much TV, but I love the HBO Series, "The Wire." That's probably one of my favorite shows of all time. But I also like old school stuff, like "Martin," all that stuff they're coming back with. I like "Lost." I love "CSI," the original one, Las Vegas. I don't get to watch it very much.
Do you use myspace?
I used to. I got into some myspace trouble. People on myspace can actually see who writes you messages and what they write. They can actually go back to the people's pages that are your friends and check your messages and comments. So, actually, I removed myself from myspace because I had people writing other people and saying things. So I'm no longer a myspace person. I'd rather be private. If I have something to say to you, I'll send it to your personal e-mail account.
What's been your worst fan experience?
Probably the kids at Marshall. When you play at Marshall, they have the worst fans ever. Their fans are so bad. They cussed us out so bad during the game. I guess it wasn't a personal thing, but probably the worst thing that ever happened to me was my freshman year when we played at Wisconsin, they were throwing pennies at us so we had to keep our helmets on the whole game.
Do you have a video game system?
PlayStation2.
What's your favorite game?
Obviously, college football. A lot of the guys like Madden, but I love the classic college football. Pretty much '99, 2000, 2001, you know, the ones I'm on. It's good to play with yourself. That's the craziest thing ever. To play a video game and see yourself.
What's your favorite Fort Wayne hang-out spot?
Home. Todd's my guy. Todd and Stan, the guys over at Piere's, so I've got to give them a plug. I do going to their spot. But Saturday night I would rather be at home because it's so packed in there you can't move. But I guess that's because it's a good club. Or maybe it's the only club.
Favorite sports moment that you were not part of?
I have never forgot. There was a play where Florida State was playing North Carolina in 2001 or 2002. Greg Jones, fullback or tailback at Florida State, runs over one of the North Carolina defensive backs. I've never seen anything like it. He made his helmet come off and he carried him like 5 yards on his forearm and put him on the back of another defensive back. It was the most unreal run ever.
Do you have a nickname?
My college coaches called me Boogie, L. Boogie. Big L. Cheesecake is when I'm on the football field, not my teammates, the people that chant it. But as far as my friends, everybody pretty much calls me Lamar or Boogie.
Who's your closest friend on the team?
I'm pretty tight with so many guys, that'd be a tough call, but I'd have to say the guy I talk to most is Andrae Brooks. But I feel really close to Adrian. I'm really close to Rocky. Me and Rocky lived together, and he was one of the best roommates I ever had. I'm going to always be tight with Rock. Crable, Alf. All the (original 2003) guys.
If you could be invisible, what's the first thing you would do?
Oh, man, could I carry things?
Sure.
If I was invisible and I could carry things, I would probably go somewhere and exchange some money and change some things over and put them in my bank account. That's a financial thing. I like to be financially secure all the time. Um, no. (laughs) If I was invisible, I would probably try to get into as many Freedom games as I could to tip the ball to do things to help us win this championship. That's the most realistic thing.

- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[Freedom Rocks]

Great interview Stacy. Keep'em coming!

[kevin demeritt]

I went to snider h.s with lamar. he was a good friend of my sisters. the first time i met him, he picked me up clear over his head like it was nothing. lol. he is a good guy. i am glad he is happy.